Relocatable Ornaments and Related Methods

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an apparatus and related methods of differentiating an item or improving its aesthetic appearance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of, and claims thebenefit of priority to, U.S. application Ser. No. 13/208,223 filed onAug. 11, 2011, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/401,315 filed Aug. 12, 2010 and entitled“Shademates™.” The cited patent applications are hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Field of the Invention

This specification discloses relocatable (e.g., attachable and removablefrom a variety of locations) charms, trinkets, or other ornaments(collectively “ornaments”) and related methods of use and construction.

On occasion, populations of people simultaneously wear or possess ontheir respective persons items with shared characteristics. Forinstance, it is not uncommon for populations of people attending asporting event to simultaneously wear sweatshirts or hoodies (“hoodedsweatshirts”), wherein said sweatshirts or hoodies share characteristics(e.g., similar colors, a torso, neck hole, and sleeves). Under suchcircumstances, individuals within said population may be desirous ofdifferentiating, beyond any inherently distinctive features, theirpersonal item from the other similar items within the population.Accordingly, there is a need for apparatus and related methods ofdifferentiating an item from other items with similar characteristics.

On other occasions, a subpopulation of people within a generalpopulation must wear or possess on their respective person items thatare undesirable or anathema in appearance to the general population. Forinstance, some children within a group of children at a school mayrequire vision assistance in the form of glasses, wherein the wearing ofglasses has been deemed unpopular by the group. For another instance,sometimes individuals must wear clothing (e.g., shoes, sweatshirts,glasses, bags, backpacks, and the like) that is of an outdated style orof a tattered condition, wherein said style or condition may beunfavorable to society. In such circumstances, a need arises forapparatus and related methods of improving the appearance of an item.

Some proposals for meeting the above identified needs involve theattachment of an ornament to the item to be distinguished oraesthetically improved. For instance: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,654,787 (issuedAug. 5, 1997), 4,968,128 (issued Nov. 6, 1990), 6,520,635 (issued Feb.18, 2003), D376,811 (issued Dec. 24, 1996), 7,559,655 (issued July 14,2009), 5,500,693 (issued Mar. 19, 1996), 5,161,234 (issued Nov. 3,1992), 4,909,620 (issued Mar. 20, 1990), 4,298,991 (issued Nov. 10,1981), 4,105,304 (issued Aug. 8, 1978), 2,682,724 (issued Jul. 6, 1954),2,724,834 (issued Nov 29, 1955), 2,835,063 (issued May 20, 1958),D635,608 (issued Apr. 5, 2011), 589184 (issued Apr. 20, 1999), 4,471,509(issued Sep. 18, 1984), 3,979,795 (issued Sep. 14, 1976), 4,927,258(issued May 22, 1990), 4,974,956 (issued Dec. 4, 1990), 5,497,211(issued Mar. 5, 1996), 5,675,988 (issued Oct. 14, 1997) (see also6,027,213 (issued Feb. 22, 2000) and 7,322,214 (issued Jan. 29, 2008)),and D564,574 (issued Mar. 18, 2008) disclose apparatus and relatedmethods for the attachment of an ornament to the frame of eyeglasses;U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,698,836 (issued Apr. 20, 2010), D598,314 (issued Jul.2, 2009), and D604,940 (issued Dec. 1, 2009) disclose apparatus andrelated methods for the attachment of an ornament to a shoe or shoelace; D598,314 (issued Jul. 2, 2009), D604,940 (issued Dec. 1, 2009),D161,005 (issued Nov. 28, 1950), and D343,139 (issued Jan. 11, 1994)disclose apparatus and related methods for the attachment of an ornamentto a scarf, tie, pull-string and the like; D630,549 (issued Jan. 11,2011), 6,026,546 (issued Feb. 22, 2000), 5,136,758 (issued Aug. 11,1992), 2,221,759 (issued Nov. 19, 1940), and 2,145,118 (issued Jan. 24,1939) disclose apparatus and related methods for the attachment of anornament to zippers; and, U.S. Pat. Nos. 0,301,133 (issued Jul. 1,1884), 0,737,085 (issued Aug. 25, 1903), and 5,140,723 (issued Aug. 25,1992) disclose apparatus and related methods for the attachment of anornament to a writing implement or other rod-like item. Although capableof differentiating or improving the appearance of an item, suchapparatus and methods for the attachment of an ornament to an item havenot been entirely satisfactory since said apparatus and methods areeither: (1) not universal (i.e., are limited to a specific genus of itemand/or further limited to a specific species within a genus of items);or (2) feature complicated attachment mechanisms so that the ornamentbecomes difficult to relocate after attachment. Accordingly, thereremains a need for apparatus and related methods of differentiating anitem or improving the appearance of an item.

With respect to items with rod-like or string-like components, one wayto somewhat universalize an ornamental apparatus for differentiating anitem or improving the appearance of the item is to provide a loop orsleeve type structure for the attaching receipt of the rod or stringcomponent of the item. Examples of this type of apparatus populate thegroup of above recited patents. However, known loop or sleeve typestructures, whether elastic or not, have not been entirely suitable forrending an ornamental apparatus universal to items with rod-like orstring-like components. One unsatisfactory aspect results from rod orstring like components of a genus of items varying substantially indiameter so that a universal loop or sleeve structure on an ornamentattachment must be exceedingly elastic or have a complicated adjustmentsystem to be universal. Exceedingly elastic loop or sleeve structureshave yet been unpreferable in attachable ornaments since the elasticforces, when exerted, may deform the ornamental aspects of theattachment. Adjustment systems are unpreferable due to complexity.Accordingly, there remains a need for a universal apparatus and relatedmethods of differentiating an item or improving the appearance of anitem, wherein the item features rod or string like components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of this application todisclose an apparatus and related methods of differentiating an item orimproving its aesthetic appearance. It is a further object of thisapplication to meet the above objective with fewer drawbacks than arepresent in now known apparatus for the same purpose.

As a preferable means for meeting the above-recited objectives, thisspecification discloses, among other things, an apparatus that maycomprise: (a) an ornament; (b) rigid and/or semi-rigid gasket attachedto said ornament; and, (c) an elastic loop attached to said gasket.Operably, o said apparatus may be applied to an item with rod-like orstring like components (e.g. writing implements, zipper pull tabs,eyeglasses' temple arms, and the like) via constricting the elastic looparound one or more of said components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristicscan be obtained is better explained in the following description andattached figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view a preferable apparatus 100.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a comparative view of two apparatus 100A and 100B.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate only atypical embodiment disclosed in this application, and therefore, are notto be considered limiting of the scope of invention principles, for theinvention principles disclosed herein may admit to other equallyeffective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonablyskilled in the relevant arts. For instance, the components in thefigures are not necessarily to scale, with an emphasis instead beingplaced upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In thefigures, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the different views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFFERED EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed by this specification is a preferable embodiment of anapparatus and related methods of differentiating an item or improvingits aesthetic appearance. The disclosed apparatus may feature: (a) anornament; (b) rigid and/or semi-rigid gasket attached to said ornament;and, (c) a loop attached to said gasket. Operably, said apparatus may beapplied to an item with rod-like or string like components (e.g.,writing implements, zipper pull tabs, eyeglasses' temple rods, and thelike) via constricting the elastic loop around one or more of saidcomponents.

FIGS. 1 through 4 respectively depict a perspective, top, side, andbottom views of an apparatus 100 attached to a component of an item 200.As seen in the figures, the depicted apparatus 100 comprise three parts:an ornament 110; a rigid and/or semi rigid gasket 120; and a loop 130.The component 200 of the item is shown in dashed lines because thecomponent may be of any shape or cross-sectional area.

The ornament 110 preferably features at least one ornamental surface 111and at least one attachment surface 112. It is not necessary that theornamental 111 and attachment 112 surfaces be distinct of one another sothat, in some instances, the ornamental surface 111 and attachmentsurface 112 may be the same. As discussed below, the attachment surface112 may be a location where the gasket 120 is attached to the ornament110.

Referring still to FIGS. 1 through 4, the ornamental surface 112 of theornament 110 is drawn in broken lines because the ornament 110 may be astructure of any ornamental appearance or design. Many preferabletrinkets may define a suitable ornament, for instance any medallion,token, coin, jewel, sign or other medium may be a suitable ornament 110.In a preferable embodiment, the ornament 110 may be a medallion with thelogo of a sports team (e.g., the Los Angeles Lakers) or image of acartoon character (e.g., Mickey Mouse). In many instances, the ornament110 may preferably feature any image, logo, design, emblem or insignia.

Structurally, the ornament 110 may be flexible or rigid. Accordingly,the materials suitable for constructing the ornament 110 include, butare not limited to, metals, woods, plastics, fabrics, textiles,ceramics, rocks, jewels, composites and the like. Those of skill in theart will know well how to form the ornament 110 depending on thematerial of construction. In a preferable embodiment, the ornament isplastic that has been molded into a medallion in the shape of a sportsteam logo or cartoon character (e.g., in the same manner of constructionas the ornamental feature of the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.7,698,836 (issued Apr. 20, 2010), D598,314 (issued Jul. 2, 2009), andD604,940 (issued Dec. 1, 2009)).

The gasket 120 is preferably an intermediate structure between the loop130 and the ornament 110. As discussed in further detail below, the Isloop 130 may preferably feature elastic properties and the gasket 120 isintermediate to the loop 130 and ornament 120 so the ornament 120 isprotected against deformation by said elastic properties. If theornament 120 is sufficiently rigid, then the gasket 120 may be bypassedso that the ornament 120 and loop 130 are attached directly. Those ofskill in the art will be able to readily determine whether the materialscomposing the ornament 110 require an intermediate gasket 120 to preventsuch deformation. When used, the gasket 120 may be of any shape and anyrigid and/or semi-rigid material. In a preferable embodiment, the gasket120 is a rigid (and/or semi-rigid) plastic or metallic disk.

Referring once again to FIGS. 1 through 4, the ornament 110 may bemechanically attached to the rigid and/or semi-rigid gasket 120 at itsattachment surface 112. The attachment may be (a) rigid or manipulableand (b) permanent or temporary. For instance, the gasket may beadhesively bonded (via an epoxy or of her resin) to the ornament 110 toaccomplish a rigid and permanent attachment. For another instance, theattachment may be via hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro) for a rigidand temporary attachment. In another instance, the attachment may be aswiveling snap fit connection for a rigid or temporary and manipulableattachment. In a preferable embodiment, the ornament 120 is rigidlyadhered to the gasket 120 via an epoxy, resin, or other compatibleadhesive (e.g., superglue) (Please note that adhesives and epoxiesutilized should preferably compatible with both the material of thegasket 120 and the ornament 110 and those of skill in the art will bereadily able to ascertain an appropriate adhesive given the compositionof the ornament 110 and the gasket 130).

The loop 120 is preferably an elastic yet semi-rigid structure attachedto the gasket 120 or attachment surface 112 of the ornament 110. Sincethe loop 130 may contact various components of an item to which theapparatus 100 is attached, the loop may preferably be composed of anon-skid material. In a preferable embodiment the loop 130 is rubberconstructed via known methods of constructing rubber tubes. The loop 130may mechanically attach to the ornament 110 or gasket 120 in a mannerthat is similar to the above described attachment of the gasket 120 tothe ornament 110 (e.g., the attachment may be (a) rigid or manipulableand (b) permanent or temporary). In a preferable embodiment the loop 130is attached to the gasket 120 or ornament 110 via superglue, a similarepoxy, or other compatible adhesive.

Operably, the depicted apparatus 100 may be applied to an item withrod-like or string-like components (e.g., writing implements, zipperpull tabs, eyeglasses' temple rods, and t he like) via first stretchingand then constricting the elastic loop around one or more of saidcomponents 200. Accordingly, the apparatus 100 should be sized tocooperate with the item to which the apparatus 100 will be attached. Ina preferable embodiment the loop 130 is a rubber tube that has beensized so that the apparatus 100 may be attached in one instance to thepull-strings of a hoody, in another instance to a writing implement, inyet another instance to the pull tab of a zipper, other instances toshoe laces, and in a final instance to an arm of a glasses' frame viaconstricting the loop 130 around one or more of said components. FIGS. 1through 4 illustrate use of the apparatus 100 in the various instances.In a preferable embodiment, the loop 130 is a rubber tube of one-fourthinch diameter and is capable of constricting a shoe lace, an arm of aglasses frame that is one-eighth inch this by one inch tall, andstandard writing implements of up to an inch in diameter.

FIG. 5 is a comparison of two apparatus 100A and 100B that are differentwith respect to the orientation of the ornament 120 relative to the axisof the loop 130 (and correspondingly the component 200 of the item towhich the apparatus 100A and 100B is attached). In the figure, theornament is the face of a cartoon mouse. The preferable orientation ofthe mouse apparatus 100A and 100 b relative to the loop 130 will changedepending on the item to which it is attached. For example, it may bepreferable to have the mouse positioned perpendicular relative to theaxis of the loop 130 when the apparatus 100A is placed on an arm of aglasses' frame, whereas it may be preferable to have the mousepositioned parallel relative to the axis of the loop 130 when theapparatus 100B is placed on a zipper pull tab. Different orientationsmay be accomplished in a single apparatus via incorporating a swivelmechanism into t he attachments of the gasket 120 or loop 130 to theornament 110. In preferable embodiments the orientation is set andpermanent. Although disclosed with reference to ornament 110orientations that are parallel and perpendicular to the loop axis, itwill be readily apparent to those of skill in the art that anyorientation of the ornament 110 that is oblique to the axis of the loop130 will also be preferable.

The intent of this specification is to provide apparatus for temporarilyor long-term attachment of an ornament to a structure or item. Theforegoing description of implementations has been presented for purposesof illustration and description. It is not exhaustive and does not limitthe claimed inventions to the precise form disclosed. Modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above description or may beacquired from practicing the invention. The claims and their equivalentsdefine the scope of the invention.

These aspects, among other things, demonstrate the industrialapplicability of this invention.

Moreover, it should be apparent that further numerous structuralmodifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing fromthe scope and fair meaning of the present invention as set forthhereinabove and as described herein below by the claims.

1. An apparatus comprising: an ornament; a gasket attached to saidornament; and, a loop attached to said gasket.
 2. An apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein the loop is capable of opening and closing
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2 wherein said attachment of the gasket to saidornament is permanent.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the ornamentis oriented parallel to an axis of said loop.
 5. The apparatus of claim2 wherein the ornament is oriented perpendicular to an axis of saidloop.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the ornament is orientedoblique to an axis of said loop.
 7. A method of altering the appearanceof an item comprising the steps of: Obtaining an apparatus comprising anornament connected to a loop; Deforming the loop; Inserting a componentof the item into the deformed loop; and, Constricting the loop aroundsaid component.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the item is aneyeglasses frame and the component is an arm thereof.
 9. The method ofclaim 7 wherein the item is a hoody and the component is a pull stringthereof.
 10. The method of claim 7 wherein the item is a writingimplement and the component is a shaft thereof.
 11. The method of claim7 wherein the item is a show and a component is a string thereof. 12.The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of orienting theornament perpendicular to the component of the item.
 13. The method ofclaim 7 further comprising the step of orienting the ornament parallelto the component of the item.
 14. The method of claim 7 furthercomprising the step of orienting the ornament oblique to the componentof the item.
 15. A method of altering the appearance of an itemcomprising the steps of: Securing a loop to an ornament; Undoing theloop; inserting a component of the item into the undone loop; andReconnecting the loop around the component.
 16. The method of claim 15wherein the item is a hoody and the component is a pull string thereof.17. The method of claim 15 wherein the item is a writing implement andthe component is a shaft thereof.
 18. The method of claim 15 wherein theitem is a show and a component is a string thereof.